Kari Kurtz, MHA

I attribute my success to a strong work ethic, a commitment to continuous growth, and a genuine passion for serving others. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that success is built through collaboration, trust, and meaningful relationships. I strive to recognize those "aha" moments where I can make a positive impact in someone’s life and help connect people with the resources and support they need. I take great pride in listening to the needs of the communities I serve and working alongside others to develop solutions that make a lasting difference. By showing up, following through, and remaining focused on service, I’ve been fortunate to build both strong partnerships and meaningful outcomes.

I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career who have played an important role in my professional growth. Rather than relying on a single mentor, I’ve sought guidance from individuals with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Their advice, encouragement, and leadership insights have helped me navigate challenges, recognize opportunities, and continue developing both personally and professionally. I strongly believe in building a network of trusted advisors who can provide support, honest feedback, and different viewpoints throughout your career.

One of the most valuable pieces of career advice I’ve received is to be someone others can depend on. While skills and experience are important, trust is built through reliability, integrity, and consistency. The people who stand out are often those who follow through on commitments, take initiative, solve problems, and are willing to step up when needed. Those qualities not only build strong relationships but also open doors to new opportunities.

I would encourage young women entering my industry to trust their abilities and pursue opportunities even when they don’t feel completely ready. Growth often happens outside of our comfort zones. Confidence, a commitment to lifelong learning, transparency, and authenticity are all key ingredients for long-term success. I also believe it’s important to seek out mentors, cultivate meaningful professional relationships, and remain open to learning from others. Above all, effective leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about listening, serving others, building trust, and helping those around you reach their full potential.

I believe one of the greatest challenges in healthcare today is ensuring individuals—particularly those in rural communities—have access to the care, resources, and support they need to live healthy lives. This includes addressing social determinants of health such as food security, transportation, and access to preventive services, while also navigating workforce shortages and the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

At the same time, these challenges create tremendous opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and community engagement. By strengthening partnerships, expanding wellness and preventive care initiatives, and leveraging technology and outreach programs, healthcare organizations can make a meaningful impact on overall community health. The organizations that will be most successful are those that remain focused on people, embrace change, and work collaboratively to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

Service, integrity, transparency, compassion, and family are the values that guide both my professional and personal life. I believe effective leadership begins with listening, treating others with respect, and leading with empathy. I am committed to supporting others, creating opportunities for success, and making decisions that positively impact the people and communities I serve.

Whether in my career, through community involvement, or with my family, I strive to lead with authenticity, uphold strong ethical standards, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I believe that lasting impact comes from building trust, fostering strong relationships, and leaving every person, organization, and community better than you found it.